Anthony Rogers Livres

For nearly two and a half years, from June 1940 until late 1942, Malta was subjected to one Axis air raid after another.

In autumn 1943 the Italian-held Dodecanese was the setting for the last decisive German invasion of the Second World War - and the last irreversible British defeat.

A detailed, illustrated exploration of the land, sea and air units that defended Malta, and the repeated Axis attempts to bring the crucial Allied island fortress to its knees.On 11 June 1940, the British crown colony of Malta – which dominated the central Mediterranean and all-important sea routes to and from North Africa – was bombed for the first time by aircraft of the Italian Regia Aeronautica. The Italians were joined in their efforts by the German Luftwaffe in January 1941. Malta was effectively beleaguered for nearly two and a half years, dependent for survival on naval supply convoys and reliant for defence on often-outnumbered fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft guns.Anthony Rogers provides a retelling of these events, drawing on accounts from both sides. This work features carefully selected photographic images, some previously unpublished. Seven specially commissioned colour maps explore the stategic situation in the Mediterranean in this period, the military sectors into which Malta's defence was divided, and German minelaying operations around the island. The three stunning battlescene artworks and 3D BEVs show key events from the battle, including the 26 July 1941 German attack on the Grand Harbour, and the major Luftwaffe raid 21 March 1942.

The book provides an illustrated account of the 1943 battle for the Dodecanese, highlighting Winston Churchill's strategic efforts to secure the Aegean islands following Italy's armistice. The operation, led by the Special Boat Squadron and Long Range Desert Group, aimed to pressure Germany while potentially persuading Turkey to ally with the Allies. Despite initial deployments, the Germans swiftly captured Rhodes and other key islands, marking a significant German victory and the last major defeat for British forces in the region until the war's end in 1945.

Supplemented with rare combat and intelligence reports, 185: The Malta Squadron is a humorous and often poignant account, with explanatory notes by Anthony Rogers that provide a clear and authoritative overview of events.

In-depth factual account of Malta crashes with thrilling eyewitness accounts that provide an immediacy and fascinating perspective of an epic battle

"The phenomenon of mercenary soldiering has constantly recurred in the news since the 1960s and has always attracted lively interest. The concept of mercenaries began in the former Belgian Congo during the 1960s when men such as Mike Hoare and Bob Denard assembled hundreds of military veterans to 'do the fighting' for a particular leader or faction. This idea soon evolved into small teams of individuals training and leading local forces with varying success; wars in Rhodesia and on South Africa's borders attracted foreign volunteers into national armed forces, and veterans of these conflicts later sought employment elsewhere as mercenaries. The wars in former Yugoslavia also attracted foreign fighters inspired as much by political and religious motives as by pay. This picture then evolved again, as former officers with recent experience set up sophisticated commercial companies to identify and fill the needs of governments whose own militaries were inadequate.Most recently, the aftermath of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has seen such contractors taking on some of the burden of long-term security off major national armies, while the subsequent rise of ISIS/Daesh has added a parallel strain of ideological volunteers. The author is well placed to describe how the face of mercenary soldiering has evolved and changed over 60 years. Using first-hand accounts, photos and detailed illustrations, this book presents a compelling snapshot of the life, campaigns and kit used by mercenary operatives engaged in fighting within both larger and more specific conflicts around the world."

This book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the Second World War, not least collectors, modellers and re-enactment groups, with an eye for uniform, vehicle and insignia detail.